Thousands sleep outside in Nepal after earthquake kills at least 157 people

The quake hit when many people were already asleep in their homes (Nepal Prime Minister’s Office via AP)

Thousands of villagers in the mountains of north-western Nepal slept outdoors on Saturday night in the bitter cold after an earthquake killed at least 157 people and damaged or destroyed most homes.

Most of the houses in villages in Jajarkot district either collapsed or were severely damaged by the sudden earthquake on Friday night, while the few concrete houses in towns were also damaged.